The average age of men becoming fathers for the first time in the Netherlands is increasing, according to recent data released by the CBS. In 2024, the average age of first-time fathers reached 32.9 years.

This figure marks a continued upward trend compared to 32.5 years a decade ago and 31.6 years in 1996, when the CBS began tracking this statistic. The data indicates a gradual but consistent rise in the age at which men are starting their families.

The statistics also reveal that new fathers are, on average, 2.5 years older than their partners. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of first-time fathers are in their 30s.

While the majority of new fathers are in their 30s, a notable number of younger and older men are also becoming parents. Around 3,500 babies were born to fathers under the age of 25 last year, including 350 teenagers. Conversely, approximately 2,500 babies had fathers aged 50 or older, with over a third of these men welcoming their first child.

This trend mirrors a similar increase in the average age of first-time mothers in the Netherlands. In May, the CBS reported that the average age for women having their first child had slightly increased to 30.4 years. This represents a significant shift from the early 1970s, when the average age for new mothers was 24.3. The average age for new mothers has steadily increased since 2004, surpassing 30 in 2021.